Good runs with Núñez del Cuvillo bulls

The fifth encierro of Sanfermines with bulls from Núñez del Cuvillo was almost, a copy of other days: falls that looked deadly, but, according to the Red Cross, only four runners were taken to hospital. On the other hand, the other participants or “mozos” and “mozas” were able to enjoy the thrill of running in front of bulls that did not try too hard to gore them except for the puncture wound to the ear and poly contusions.

Another day and another rocket to make hearts beat faster. Two minutes and 50 seconds went by from the launching of the first rocket that marks the moment the bulls and oxen hit the street until the last brown bull entered the corrals of the bullring.

At 8 a.m. the herd left the corrals with the speed that is typical of them. “Jabonera” was the star of 60 % of the route which he ran alone and from the slope of Santo Domingo, he began to lead his brothers and arrived first at the Curve of Mercaderes.

This marked a point of tension when four or five runners fell – accidentally hit by others and even stepped on. From then the herd changed its configuration, following “Jabonero”, followed by the oxen and the other bulls.

In Estafeta street, the herd broke up, leaving the above mentioned spaces for good runs to take place. “Jabonero” continued at the head of the spread-out bulls, until it slipped, moment when it seemed that his brothers were going to catch up with him….but no. The animal calmly kept on until almost the end of the encierro route.

There was another moment of emotion when, in the Bajada al Callejón, three bulls, a black one, “Jabonero” and a brown one fell when there were only few meters left to reach the ring, causing runners to also fall. A key moment which prolonged the encierro 15 to 20 seconds due to the fall of the brown bull that could not get up without the help of the runners who pulled on his tail.

Once in the ring, perhaps still a little upset by his fall, he paid no attention to those in the ring with pink and yellow capes who direct the animals towards the corrals. Seconds later, at 2 minutes and 50 seconds this last brown bull gave up and abandoned the ring, ending the fifth encierro of Sanfermines.

The Joaquin Núñez del Cuvillo bulls are favorites of the most well-known matadors because of their bravery and courage, although the bulls are sometimes uncomfortable in the encierro. This year they are repeating Sanfermines, making it nine years coming to Pamplona, showing off their preparation in the fields between Jerez de la Frontera and Conil.

Foto cedida de Alex M.

Eight encierros in Sanfermines, 10 gorings and 41 traumas

These bulls are also very fast, especially in the last five years. They average one goring per run if the ground is dry, but if the ground is wet, this average rises. There is a direct relationship between how long the encierro lasts and the gorings. More time in the street more danger. Summing up, these animals have left seven gorings in encierros that last more than three minutes.

Last year the duration of the encierro of these bulls was two minutes and 40 seconds, ten less than in 2018.

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